Afghan President Hamid Karzai (L) visits Republic Hospital on the inauguration ceremony in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Aug. 16, 2009. The 350-bed hospital, which was built with 25 million US dollars provided by Chinese government, is the most well equipped in Afghanistan. (Xinhua/Zabi Tamanna)

    Shafakhanai Jamhuriat or Republic Hospital, constructed with financial support from China, was formally inaugurated Sunday, said a statement released by the Public Health Ministry.

    Inaugurated jointly by President Hamid Karzai, Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan Zheng Qingdian, Afghan Minister for Public Health Mohammad Amin Fatimi, the 350-bed hospital bore 25 million U.S. dollars provided by China, the statement added.

    "With this huge support to the health system of Afghanistan, the People's Republic of China has played a very crucial role in the enhancement of service delivery in the areas of secondary and tertiary health care" said Dr. S.M. Amin Fatimie, the Minister of Public Health of Afghanistan.

Photo taken on Aug. 16, 2009 shows the view of Republic Hospital built by Chinese government in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan.(Xinhua/Zabi Tamanna)

    The new hospital could be the most equipped hospital in the post-Taliban country.

    China has contributed more than 175 million U.S. dollars in the reconstruction process of the post-Taliban Afghanistan since 2002.